Manitowoc students to visit Japan sister city

Kevin McMeans, Alex Myers, Elaina Falconer, Sophie Steimle, Ella Hecker and Leslie Yang. They will be in Japan from July 21 through July 31. When they return, they will travel with six Japanese students who will visit Manitowoc until Aug. 9.(Photo: Provided by Kelly Meyer)

MANITOWOC - Continuing years of tradition, six Manitowoc students will spend 10 days in Kamogawa, Japan, connecting with other students, exploring the island and learning about their culture.

Kevin McMeans, Alex Myers, Elaina Falconer, Sophie Steimle, Ella Hecker and Leslie Yang will be in Japan on July 21-31, according to Kelly Meyer, MIRA (Manitowoc International Relations Association) Student Exchange Program chairman. They will return with six Japanese students who will visit Manitowoc until Aug. 9.

The sister city relationship between Manitowoc and Kamogawa began in 1992. Since the relationship was established, the two cities have exchanged students, citizen delegations, books and gifts.

Kamogawa is a resort area in the Chiba Prefecture, Wisconsin’s sister state. Kamogawa is home to many shrines and temples dating to the 12th century. It is also the fall training camp base for the professional baseball team the Chiba Lotte Marines and the home base for the Kamogawa Sea World.

Manitowoc was unable to send a delegation of students to Kamogawa in 2016, although six students from Kamogawa did visit Manitowoc. This year, a full delegation of students from Manitowoc County is taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Japan.